Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been released from medical care, officials confirmed on Wednesday. This development comes just days after a devastating road accident in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of two of his close companions.
The Tragic Accident on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
The incident occurred on Monday along the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway in southwestern Nigeria. Joshua was traveling in an SUV with his friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, when their vehicle met with a catastrophic accident. Preliminary investigations by the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) indicate that the SUV suffered a tyre burst before colliding with a stationary truck.
The crash proved fatal for Ghami and Ayodele, while Joshua survived with injuries that required hospitalization. The state governments of both Lagos and Ogun have been closely involved in overseeing the former champion's treatment since the tragic event unfolded.
Official Confirmation and Joshua's Discharge
In a joint statement issued late Wednesday night, spokesmen for the two state governments provided official details. Lagos state government spokesman Gbenga Omotoso and his Ogun state counterpart, Kayode Akinmade, confirmed Joshua's release from the hospital.
The statement read, "Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital late this afternoon. Though heavy hearted and full of emotion over the loss of his two close friends, he was deemed clinically fit to recuperate at home." This confirmation puts to rest widespread concerns about the boxer's physical condition following the severe crash.
Aftermath and a Visit to the Funeral Home
Following his discharge, Anthony Joshua undertook a somber visit to the funeral home where the bodies of his deceased friends were being prepared. The process is for their eventual repatriation from Nigeria. This act underscores the profound personal loss the athlete is grappling with, even as he begins his physical recovery at home.
The accident has sent shockwaves through the global sports community, drawing attention to road safety on one of Nigeria's busiest highways. Fans and fellow athletes worldwide have expressed their condolences for the lives lost and their support for Joshua during this difficult period. His focus now shifts to mourning, healing, and recuperation from the traumatic event.
